Hart Happenings

Greetings!
  The morning we got back from our week of adventuring Jack woke up and walked into the kitchen beaming and announced, "it feel so good to be home!"  He spoke what I think we were all feeling.  We had SUCH a great time in California with everyone and it all felt so nice to be back home so I think it was the perfect vacation.  Just right!
  I was so impressed with everyone's fortitude during the Spartan.  The kids did great, the adults survived and were so pleasant the next morning despite their aches and pains.  It was such a fun time.  I don't think we would ever want to do Spartans any other way without the whole crew!  It makes it so memorable, exciting and fun!
  Our forays into Yosemite and Sequoia national parks were awe inspiring.  It's amazing to see the diversity of God's creations wherever we go.  We spent time at the beach, in the desert, high alpine forests, and sequoia groves; all so different from each other and all so beautiful and interesting.
  Sorry to hear about Bob, the sucker fish.  Jenn, I think the reason you don't remember fish living that long when you were a kid is that ours never did live that long!  You must be keeping them in a magic horse trough.
  We got home just in time to jump into crazy preparations for our Trunk or Treat that the primary was in charge of, which was a huge success.  Ian also had rehearsals to get back to, Jack's indoor soccer had started, and we arrived back in town in time to celebrate Halloween with our traditional trick or treating rounds with our friends the Martins.
  The Primary is gearing up for their program next week.  We had our first run-through this afternoon and it was beautiful!  I love working with the kids in Primary.
  Alex was up to his neck in work the moment he walked in the door.  It is so nice to have the flexibility he does with his work but he has to work like crazy sometimes to get caught up!
  Mom and Dad came on Thursday/Friday for a midwife thing here and brought us some beef which was really nice.  It feels good to have a full freezer.  They got to see the progress we are making on our fireplace.  Guys!  We are making progress!  We might actually have it finished by Christmas!  It has been quite the ordeal.....
  Happy Daylight savings!  Ian woke up in a panic this morning at 8:45, Alex and I were gone to meetings so he hauled his brothers out of bed, got everyone dressed in record time and hustled them out the door to church.  So responsible.  But then he glanced at a different clock and realized that it was actually only 7:45 and that the super rush was unwarranted.  Peter was livid when Ian told his about the mix up.  That boy loves his bed and being yanked from it so unceremoniously and violently  upset him to no end.
  Alex's mom and dad always host a family dinner the first Sunday of the month so we enjoyed getting to gather with everyone this afternoon.  Soup was on the menu and it hit the spot!
  It is brutally cold here.  Not -48 like in Logan canyon, but plenty cold.  Tuesday the high was 27.  Ridiculous, if you ask me.  But we bundle up and carry on.  I like Lauren's determination to love where she lives year round.  I am going to take a page out of that book.
  Stay warm everyone!  I guess that might take some doing for everyone minus the missionary and T and Victoria.
  Looking forward to Thanksgiving!!!